Illini public scrimmage today (10/15)- standout player is.....Sammy M.

[Da Coach]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/chi-illini-basketball-scrimmage-warms-up-football-crowd-20111015,0,3683136.story

This may come as a blow to all those who want to see Sammy fail.

The Illini participated in their second practice Saturday – a followup to Friday night’s first official practice – as a precursor to the Illinois-Ohio State football game.

Point guard Sam Maniscalco was the standout, making a slew of 3-point shots.

“We had 10 practices before Italy and team workouts, so guys are familiar with what we’re doing,” he said. “Right now it’s just the daily grind of going one day at a time. … As long as we approach it with the right attitude, success is in the future.”

The Bradley transfer also had a friend in the front row as Evan Turner, a former Ohio State star, watched. The two did not expect to be so agreeable the rest of the afternoon once the football teams at Memorial Stadium kicked off.

“I’m glad he’s here and getting the experience of what the Big Ten has to offer,” Turner said. “He can lead the team. He’ll be able to make some shots and play great defense.”

[tornado]

ESPN has nice story on the standout player - Sammy Maniscalco

http://espn.go.com/blog/chicago/colleges/post/_/id/4184/illini-counting-on-maniscalcos-health

[lefty]

I'm an Illinois fan too so I hope he has a great season. I'm just not convinced he will be able to get through it....we'll see...I hope he does great

[Braves4Life]

I'm an Illinois fan too so I hope he has a great season. I'm just not convinced he will be able to get through it....we'll see...I hope he does great

You'd better hope he does. Of course, nobody hopes more than Bruce Weber. Without Sammy Illinois will have a VERY long season.

[Naptown24]

Sammie

Way to go Sammie! Nice article

[Old Coach]

You'd better hope he does. Of course, nobody hopes more than Bruce Weber. Without Sammy Illinois will have a VERY long season.

I think the Abrams kid will be able to play, and they'll get some help from Head, Betrand, and Paul. Sammy probably has a finite amount of minutes in him, and hopefully Bruce won't burn through them too early in the season.

[Da Coach]

I think the Abrams kid will be able to play, and they'll get some help from Head, Betrand, and Paul. Sammy probably has a finite amount of minutes in him, and hopefully Bruce won't burn through them too early in the season.

From what I have heard, the minutes played will not be as much of a problem as some people seem to think. He has the typical kind of soreness that is expected after the kind of surgery he had. But his ankle is structurally fine, and he isn't going to make it worse by playing on it. Barring any new injuries, Sammy could play 30+ minutes a game, though I suspect Weber will spread the minutes around and keep everyone under 30 minutes.

[Braves4Life]

From what I have heard, the minutes played will not be as much of a problem as some people seem to think.

It should be interesting to revisit this opinion around early February..... I (along with many) have doubts based on what's already been publicly disclosed and based upon what we've witnessed the past few years. I'm hopeful that you are right DC. Sammy deserves to shine on the big stage and show that MVC players are no joke.

[Da Coach]

I agree. But I think Sammy will do better than some people think, and better than some seem to be hoping for. I know you are not one of them, but it amazes me to see people who call themselves fans cheering for Sammy to fail at Illinois and gloating about these reports of his medical problems. If there is anything we've learned about Sammy, it's how tough a kid he is. He'll win some games for them, and he'll be one of the top 3 point guards in the Big Ten this year.

[Old Coach]

From what I have heard, the minutes played will not be as much of a problem as some people seem to think. He has the typical kind of soreness that is expected after the kind of surgery he had. But his ankle is structurally fine, and he isn't going to make it worse by playing on it. Barring any new injuries, Sammy could play 30+ minutes a game, though I suspect Weber will spread the minutes around and keep everyone under 30 minutes.

I hope you're right.

[Braves4Life]

If there is anything we've learned about Sammy, it's how tough a kid he is. He'll win some games for them....

Agreed! He's a warrior!

[Da Coach]

Report on Illinois scrimmage with nice words about Sammy -

http://m.illinihq.com/sports/illini-sports/mens-basketball/2011-10-15/klees-scrimmage-report-and-running.html

[tornado]

A couple comments about Sammy from Evan Turner who was at the scrimmage..

"Sam, he's been my boy forever," Turner said.

Turner, .. spent Saturday in C-U hanging out with Maniscalco, who
transferred from Bradley for his final season.
The pair became fast friends as teammates with the Illinois Wolves club
program. On Saturday, Turner sat with Wolves director Mike Mullins and Carl
and Coyla Maniscalco, Sam's parents.

So what kind of player will start at the point for Illinois?

"He's one of the toughest players I've ever played against,"
Turner said. "He's going to put his heart on the line. I would
compare him to an Aaron Craft type of player. They're different players, but
they play that way, really hard, give it their all.

"He's a big-time player. He deserves to play in this situation at this level."

Maniscalco showed his worth to these Illini again Saturday. He unofficially
had nine points, trailing only D.J. Richardson's 11, and on several occasions
took players aside to show them where to be and what to do.

"He earned this moment," Turner said. "He committed to Bradley as a
junior. He had some bigger offers after that, but he kept his commitment.
That says a lot about him.
"He's one of those kids that deserves it. I'm glad the world gets to see what
I've been seeing since we were younger. He's going to have a big year."

And when the fifth-year senior is not on the floor for Illinois, it's like a ship
without a rudder. Already it's clear he is a critical player for the Illini —
perhaps the most important on the roster.

http://www.illinihq.com/sports/illini-sports/mens-basketball/2011-10-15/klees-scrimmage-report-and-running.html

(also some comments in that article about some of the Illini freshmen redshirting)

[afan]

I agree. But I think Sammy will do better than some people think, and better than some seem to be hoping for. I know you are not one of them, but it amazes me to see people who call themselves fans cheering for Sammy to fail at Illinois and gloating about these reports of his medical problems. If there is anything we've learned about Sammy, it's how tough a kid he is. He'll win some games for them, and he'll be one of the top 3 point guards in the Big Ten this year.

Da Coach...I am disappointed. You have totally missed it! I have never said that I hope! Sammy fails (unless he is playing against Bradley, of course. And I would never wish medical problems for him. I hope that he does well. In fact I don't remember anyone wishing poor performance or medical problems for him. That would be terrible. As with many others I firmly believe that he bailed on Bradley basketball, his team mates and his fans. Illinois apparently needs a point guard. So does Bradley basketball. Sammy knew that when he left. We know who he chose, right?

[AZ BU Fan]

I can only hope Geno takes BU to the next level so I don't ever have to read again:

"He's a big-time player. He deserves to play in this situation at this level".

"He committed to Bradley as a junior. He had some bigger offers after that, but he kept his commitment. That says a lot about him."

"I'm glad the world gets to see what I've been seeing since we were younger."

Enough of the condescending attitude toward BU and the MVC....

PS If I remember correctly, Illinois was beaten last time they played BU....